VIDEO: Massive Transformer Explosion in New York

VIDEO: Massive Transformer Explosion in New York

A massive transformer explosion at the Con Edison plant on 14th Street reportedly knocked out power tens of thousands of customers in Lower Manhattan Monday evening.

The explosion happened shortly before 8:30 p.m. at the building located in Stuyvesant Town.

According to PIX 11 viewer Mario Camilla, the explosion happened not far from his home near the FDR.

“There was an explosion about 5 minutes ago and I could see Blue sparks coming from the plant! The plant is dark and smoke stacks are not lit up!” he said in an email.

Con Ed has since confirmed the spectacular blow out, which was also captured on video, and said it was a substation equipment failure. The utility said at more or less the same time it lost power at its central command station but it has now been restored.